Who let the dogs out … to go wine tasting?! Santa Barbara is such a dog-friendly town, the more appropriate question really is: Who lets the dogs in? If you’re traveling with your main furry squeeze, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to tasting rooms where dogs are most welcome. Chances are pretty high they’ll be showered with affection by staff and fellow patrons. In fact, many wineries keep water bowls and dog treats on hand so your pooch doesn’t have to miss out on the palate-pleasing action. Here’s the low down on where you can tour and taste on The American Riviera® with your pup in tow.
The Funk Zone
You can take your dog into nearly every tasting room in the always-hopping Funk Zone. Pups are required to be on leash at Kunin Wines, Whitcraft and The Valley Project. Since food preparation is involved inside, pets are only allowed on the patio at Margerum Wine Company and the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, representing Babcock Winery, Ca’Del Grevino, Fess Parker, Notary Public and The Paring & The Hilt. Leashes are recommended for dogs hanging out at Santa Barbara Winery since it has a cat on the premises.
Relaxed leash policies are the norm and all dogs are welcome at Area 5.1 Winery and Riverbench—hydration stations are also available for thirsty animals. The only requirement from Fox Wine Co. in the Waterline co-op is paws-off the furniture! Dogs are welcome inside and outside at Pali Wine Company, who keep a stash of dog treats in the back. Be sure to use its dedicated #palipaws Instagram hashtag if you’re documenting your pup’s wine tasting journey—or just peruse it whenever you’re in the need of warm, fuzzy cuteness “awwws.” The same goes for Municipal Winemakers, who share the social love with #dogsofmuni and also have ample treats and water bowls on deck.
The Presidio Neighborhood
Several tasting rooms in the wineries of the Presidio neighborhood welcome canine companions on leash. Soak up the sun with your pooch on the patio of Jamie Slone Wines. Water bowls and treats are always available at nearby Au Bon Climat and Grassini Family Vineyards. Silver Wines has a relaxed policy about leashes—it simply comes down to the dog’s behavior, so if you have a chill pup, they can be untethered.
Out & About: Waterfront & Downtown
Santa Barbara’s only tasting room on the water, Deep Sea Tasting Room allows dogs on its outside patio where you can enjoy panoramic views paired with Conway Family Wines.
Over in the Lagoon District, Potek Winery in The Mill complex welcomes dogs on its inviting patio. Just like Potek, Jaffurs Wine Cellars’ tasting room doubles as the production space so dogs need to stay outside but are absolutely welcome and showered with affection. You can bring your pup inside at Carr Vineyards and Winery as long as they are on a leash. Plus, it has a comfy new patio space out back where you and Fido can linger as long as you’d like.
Dog-Friendly Wineries in Wine Country
If you’re planning to head over the hill to the wine country to see where the grapes are grown, dozens of wineries welcome dogs. A few of our favorites include Babcock Winery & Vineyards in Lompoc’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Dogs are required to be on a leash inside the tasting room, and there’s a wide-open grassy space outside that’s perfect for a game of fetch.
The Bien Nacido Vineyards tasting room in downtown Los Olivos also opens its doors to dogs on a leash—unless it’s a wee one that can be held. If you find yourself in Los Alamos, Casa Dumetz Wines welcomes dogs on leash in their charming, art-filled tasting room—you won’t want to miss the Valle Fresh tacos next door, where you can feast from a perch on the patio and order Casa Dumetz wines by the glass, too.
Last but certainly not least, the stunning Presqu’ile Winery in the Santa Maria Valley sits atop rolling vineyard-lined hills and has ample dog-friendly indoor and outdoor spaces where dogs are welcome to roam around. The winemaking team typically has its dogs on property so social dogs can make new friends. The winery is so passionate about pets that it has produced special bottles to benefit the Santa Barbara Humane Society.
